Serverless Apps: A Google-drive-based Sacco Management System

Abstract

This paper describes a cloud-based SACCO Management Application System. It provides the design parameters, the programming features and the deployment process of the system. The motivation is to avoid server-based applications which require heavy investments and instead ride on the secure google cloud-based services for the development and deployment of the system. Google Drive was chosen as the hosting web server, where the Google Sheets, Docs, and Forms were customized to provide safe on-site data and templates for data capture and processing. While the system is entirely dependent on google cloud apps, the user is provided with a mobile App which directly connects to the google sheets for individualized reports and formatted member information. The user only needs to use a device which senses gmail login in order to provide SACCO information at a click of a button. Both data capturing and visualization processes are managed in a single web interface, bringing easy-to-use benefits to end users. The concept has been implemented with an existing SACCO and has provided adequate level of automation to the SACCO management. The SACCO management board is now able to track in real time the activities of the SACCO and retrieve ready-made reports at a click of a button. The system developed in this research has potential applications in helping upcoming SACCOs implement secure Information Systems for Data capturing, client management and instant provision of reports without being worried about server space and domain name costs.